Know before you go, and have a safe and successful 2026 deer season.
Important changes for the 2026 deer seasons
- Universal antlerless deer license use limits are now in place. Limits have been implemented by deer management unit in the Upper Peninsula and by county in the Lower Peninsula. Check the regulations for the area you plan to hunt.
- Senior crossbow opportunities have expanded in the Upper Peninsula. Beginning Sept. 12, resident senior hunters with a valid senior deer license, senior deer combo license or senior universal antlerless deer license may use a crossbow during the late archery deer season in the U.P.
- The Limited Firearms Deer Zone has been eliminated. Beginning Sept. 12, hunters may use all legal firearms across the Lower Peninsula.
- The early antlerless firearm deer season has moved. The season will take place the second weekend in September, Sept. 12-13, at the same time as the Liberty Hunt.
- December firearm and muzzleloader seasons are now three days.The U.P. muzzleloader deer season and Lower Peninsula December firearm deer season will run Dec. 4-6. In the Lower Peninsula, hunters may use all legal firearms during the December season.
- The U.P. antlerless access permit drawing has been eliminated. Hunters planning to take antlerless deer in the U.P. should carefully review where universal antlerless deer licenses may be used.
- The late antlerless firearm deer season starts earlier. The season begins Monday, Dec. 7, immediately following the December firearm deer season, and continues through Jan. 1 in eligible Lower Peninsula DMUs.
- Two extended seasons have been eliminated. There is no extended late antlerless deer season or January archery deer season in 2027. Read more








